Build a Future with Better Words
At some point in your life you have probably heard the phrase, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.” It sounds good but it is just not true. Words are powerful and can do more damage than sticks and stones.
There is an ancient proverb from King Solomon of Israel that says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
If we were in my office I would take you through a little exercise. First, I would have you relax. Remove as much tension from your mind and body as is possible. Then I would put a two-letter word that is repeated six times in front of you. NO! There are times when I have spoken the word six times but with increased volume each time. If you were in an f MRI-I scanner that can take a video of the neural changes happening in your brain, we would record, in less than a second, increased activity in your amygdala (often referred to as the emotional library of the brain), and a flood of stress-producing hormones and neurotransmitters. This response interrupts the normal function of the brain as it relates to logic, reason, language processing, and communication.
The more you stay focused on the “NO”, and use it to negatively define yourself, the greater the risk of damaging key functions that regulate your memory, feelings, and emotions.
There is another Proverb that states, “There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
The two Proverbs underline two possibilities: A tongue that releases words of death and harm, or a tongue that stimulates healing and life. Personally I want to guard my tongue and direct it to release words of life and healing. There is another Proverb that states: “He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles.” In other words, we need to engage the mind before we set the mouth in motion.
Careless words expose our shallow thinking and lack of care.
Crushing words can be caustic and painful. These are words of defamation that attack the character and destroy the value of a person.
Finally, there are creative words. These are words that release life and inspire vision. They affirm and build faith and hope.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue — love the words of death and you will eat the fruit of death. Love the words of life and you will eat the fruit of life.” Guard your tongue and your truthful lips will be established forever. Let your lips speak words that inspire transformation and change.
Duane Harder
